Just Because There is a God...

[Heyo]

I do not consider that logical because there is no reason why the different religions would agree. I mean there would be no reason for God to reveal different religions at different times if they were all going to be the same.

“The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves. That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion. These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 287-288

In other word, you believe there is a god who is manipulative and creates drama and religious wars by telling different stories to different people.
Wouldn't it be rational to think that all the stories are false?

 

[Trailblazer]

In other word, you believe there is a god who is manipulative and creates drama and religious wars by telling different stories to different people.
Wouldn't it be rational to think that all the stories are false?

No, that is not what I believe. I believe that God reveals what humans need in every age. The spiritual teachings are essentially the same in every religion, but the social teachings and laws and the message differ according to the needs of the times.

What causes the drama and religious wars are religious people who cling to their different religions and believe that only their religion is true, that it is the best and last religion God will ever reveal.

So it is humans who cause all the problems, not God.

What would be rational would be to realize that all the religions are from the same God and each religion was the truth from God suited to the times in which it was revealed. It would be best if all religions united under one banner, but in lieu of that if they understood what I just said and accepted each other's religions they could learn to live together in harmony and unity.

 

[Heyo]

No, that is not what I believe. I believe that God reveals what humans need in every age. The spiritual teachings are essentially the same in every religion, but the social teachings and laws and the message differ according to the needs of the times.

What causes the drama and religious wars are religious people who cling to their different religions and believe that only their religion is true, that it is the best and last religion God will ever reveal.

So it is humans who cause all the problems, not God.

What would be rational would be to realize that all the religions are from the same God and each religion was the truth from God suited to the times in which it was revealed. It would be best if all religions united under one banner, but in lieu of that if they understood what I just said and accepted each other's religions they could learn to live together in harmony and unity.

But how can we convince all those ancient religious believers that the Flying Spaghetti Monster is the newest and most appropriate (for our time) religion?

 

[firedragon]

Assuming God created the universe, this provides no support for any religious belief.

Assuming God created the universe itself is a religious belief.

 

[firedragon]

In other word, you believe there is a god who is manipulative and creates drama and religious wars by telling different stories to different people.
Wouldn't it be rational to think that all the stories are false?

Thats not a rational statement. Thats a general statement.

If there are different stories that people have in their possession, it may as well have one source and people have turned them into different stories. Thus, people having different stories does not mean it is by default "all false". Thats an irrational statement.

 

[Heyo]

Thats not a rational statement. Thats a general statement.

If there are different stories that people have in their possession, it may as well have one source and people have turned them into different stories. Thus, people having different stories does not mean it is by default "all false". Thats an irrational statement.

I would be more convinced that there is a true core in all the different stories if there were some commonality to them. It would also help if the people who tell the stories would try to consolidate them.
But neither is there a common core nor would the believers try to find the truth. That's why I can't take any of them seriously.

 

[firedragon]

I would be more convinced that there is a true core in all the different stories if there were some commonality to them. It would also help if the people who tell the stories would try to consolidate them.
But neither is there a common core nor would the believers try to find the truth. That's why I can't take any of them seriously.

I understand what you say, but your statements are too general. When you say "any of them" it is a universal statement so if you say that none of them have similarities you are very badly mistaken.

 

[stvdv]

I was thinking to answer this question, but, God suggested NOT to answer.

#MeToo

 

[Bree]

I was just thinking, those folks who strongly insist on the need for there to be a God who created the universe,

Let's say such a God does exist,

Just because God created the universe,
It does not follow that man has any connection to this God.
It does not follow that this God has any concern for the welfare of man.
It does not follow that man has a soul, a spirit or there is any possibility of life/existence after the death of the brain.

Assuming God created the universe, this provides no support for any religious belief.

his communication with mankind is what creates a connection. He created that connection himself because he created us for a purpose and he wants us to fulfil that purpose.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

No, none of that has to be true just because there is a God that created the universe, but are 84% of people in the world all wrong?

84 percent of the world population has a faith

How much sense does that make that ALL these people who have a religion are all wrong?

Try this one. They are not wrong nor are they right. That alone belongs to God and is not with humans.

 

[Quintessence]

It may seem obvious to you, @Nakosis and me, but considering how many theists apparently haven't figured it out, it's probably worth pointing out.

Maybe... though I'm not sure why "theists" are being singled out here when this very much applies to "atheists."

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Maybe... though I'm not sure why "theists" are being singled out here when this very much applies to "atheists."

YMMV, but I've never seen an atheist argue that some generic "proof of God" establishes that a particular religion is correct.

 

[Nakosis]

No, none of that has to be true just because there is a God that created the universe, but are 84% of people in the world all wrong?

84 percent of the world population has a faith

How much sense does that make that ALL these people who have a religion are all wrong?

Whatever the "truth" is, it is not going to be decided with a popularity contest.

 

[Nakosis]

I mean, yes? Congrats for recognizing the distinction between theism (which says next to nothing other than 'there's something called god that's a thing') and theology (which is the study of the gods and gets into knowing their qualities and characteristics) and religion (which is an all-encompassing way of life that includes narratives, values, rituals, and communities that help address life's meaning whether theistically or atheistically)?

What I see is that even with a premise of the former, God, there is no need for the later, theology.

One is free to pursue or create whatever theology they wish but it is a matter of personal choice, not need. Theology is for personal entertainment.

 

[Nakosis]

his communication with mankind is what creates a connection. He created that connection himself because he created us for a purpose and he wants us to fulfil that purpose.

When did God communicate to you?

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

What I see is that even with a premise of the former, God, there is no need for the later, theology.

One is free to pursue or create whatever theology they wish but it is a matter of personal choice, not need. Theology is for personal entertainment.

Is the bold one a fact or your opinion?

 

[Nakosis]

Assuming God created the universe itself is a religious belief.

Not all religions need a creator God. Sure, the ones that do need a narrative. However it is a matter of creating a premise out of a need for your conclusion to be true.

The argument is dishonest.

 

[Nakosis]

Is the bold one a fact or your opinion?

It is a fact for me. For yourself, can you honestly say otherwise?

 

[firedragon]

Not all religions need a creator God. Sure, the ones that do need a narrative. However it is a matter of creating a premise out of a need for your conclusion to be true.

The argument is dishonest.

I didnt say "all religions" so that's a straw man argument.

I said "claiming God is a religious claim by itself".

So hope you understand.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

It is a fact for me. For yourself, can you honestly say otherwise?

Well, to me it is a grey area. I am not sure if there are psychological needs in regards to religion, but I know this: That you have no such needs, only means that you have no such need, unless you can back it up with some soft science.